People in the Lab
Current Graduate Students
Susie Frawley
M.S. Candidate (Fishery Sciences)
Thesis title: Seasonal food habits and growth of non-native Walleyes in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho
Research interests: My research interests lie in evaluating the effects of non-native species. In particular, I am interested in the interactions between native and non-native species, how the introduction of a non-native species influences interactions between native species, and how the information can be used to develop effective management strategies.
Undergraduate education: Montana State University (B.S. Ecology, (concentration in Wildlife and Fisheries Management and Ecology), 2016)
Email: sfrawley@uidaho.edu
Bryce Marciniak
M.S. Candidate (Fishery Sciences)
Thesis title: Interactions between Yellow Perch, Northern Pikeminnow, and Smallmouth Bass in Lake Cascade, Idaho
Research interests: I’m interested in applied fisheries research pertaining to the conservation of native and endangered species, invasive and native species interactions, management of sustainable sport fisheries, and effective fish sampling and capture techniques.
Undergraduate education: Northern Michigan University (B.S. General Biology, Minors in Chemisty and Earth Science, 2020)
Email: bmarciniak@uidaho.edu
Donavan Maude
M.S. Candidate (Fishery Sciences)
Thesis title: Evaluation of a harvest fishery for White Sturgeon in the upper Snake River, Idaho
Research interests: My research interests are focused on how management strategies aid in the conservation of native fish species. I’m specifically interested in how state agencies can provide angling opportunity while still maintaining healthy, robust, native fish populations.
Undergraduate education: The College of Idaho (B.S. Biology and Environmental Studies, 2016)
Email: dmaude@uidaho.edu
Sage Unsworth
M.S. Candidate (Fishery Sciences)
Thesis title: Abundance, distribution, and outmigration characteristics of Juvenile Bull Trout in the upper St. Joe River basin
Research interests: I’m interested in applied fisheries research pertaining to the conservation of native and endangered species, invasive and native species interactions, management of sustainable sport fisheries, and effective fish sampling and capture techniques.
Undergraduate education: Montana State University (B.S. Ecology, 2020)
Email: unsworth@uidaho.edu
Nick Voss
Ph.D. Candidate (Fishery Sciences)
Dissertation title: Factors influencing the distrbition and abundance of Bull Trout across multiple spatial scales in Idaho
Undergraduate education: University of Montana (B.S. Wildlife Biology, Aquatic Emphasis, 2016)
Graduate education: Montana State University (M.S. Fish and Wildlife Management, 2020)
Research interests: Generally, I enjoy answering research questions that help fisheries biologists more effectively manage and conserve aquatic resources for future generations. I am currently interested in how invasive species and climate change interact to affect native fishes of conservation concern.
Email: nvoss@uidaho.edu
Former Graduate Students
Will Lubenau
Undergraduate education: New Mexico State University (B.S. Wildlife Science (emphasis in Aquatic Ecology and Management), 2017)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Resources, 2022)
Thesis title: Encounter rates and catch-and-release mortality of wild steelhead in Idaho
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: will.lubenau@idfg.idaho.gov
Aaron Black
Undergraduate education: University of Maine (B.S. Wildlife Ecology (emphasis in Wildlife Science and Management, and Fisheries Science), 2016)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Resources, 2021)
Thesis title: Evaluation of natural and hatchery-produced kokanee in Flaming Gorge Reservoir
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: aaron.black@idfg.idaho.gov
Darcy McCarrick
Undergraduate education: Brigham Young University-Idaho (B.S. Pland and Wildlife Ecology, 2017)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Resources, 2021)
Thesis title: Biotic and abiotic factors influencing populatoin dynamics of Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout and Utah Chub in Henrys Lake, Idaho
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: darcy.mccarrick@idfg.idaho.gov
Megan Heller
Undergraduate education: Boise State University (B.S. Biology, 2016)<\p>
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Resources, 2021)
Thesis title: Production of wild Bonnevile Cutthroat Trout in Bear Lake: evaluation of a harvest fishery
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: megan.heller@idfg.idaho.gov
Zach Klein
Undergraduate education: Eckerd College (B.S. Biology, 2008)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2015); University of Idaho (Ph.D. Fishery Sciences, 2019)
Dissertation title: Management of kokanee in Idaho lakes: sampling techniques, growth disparities, and Mysis-kokanee interactions
Current position: Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University
Email: zklein@nmsu.edu
John Heckel
Undergraduate education: University of Louisville (B.A. Liberal Studies, 2005) and Oregon State University (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Science, 2015)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2019)
Thesis title: Life history characteristics, distribution, and habitat use of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the St. Maries River basin
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: john.heckel@idfg.idaho.gov
Stacey Feeken
Undergraduate education: University of Washington (B.S. Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, 2013)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2019)
Thesis title: Distribution and movement of steelhead and anglers in the Clearwater River, Idaho
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: stacey.feeken@idfg.idaho.gov
Tucker Brauer
Undergraduate education: University of Idaho (B.S. Fisheries Resources, 2014); College of Southern Idaho (A.S. Aquaculture, 2012)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2018)
Thesis title: Population structure and movement dynamics of Burbot in the upper Green River system
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Email: Tucker.Brauer@state.nm.us
Shannon Blackburn
Undergraduate education: Western Washington University (B.S. Environmental Science, 2008)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2018)
Thesis title: Population dynamics and management of White Sturgeon in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River basin, California
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks
Email: shannon.blackburn@mt.gov
Conor McClure
Undergraduate education: Brigham Young University-Idaho (B.S. Ecology, Range, Wildlife, and Fisheries, 2015)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2018)
Thesis title: Population dynamics and movement of Smallmouth Bass in the Snake River, Idaho
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: conor.mcclure@idfg.idaho.gov
Curtis Roth
Undergraduate education: West Virginia University (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries, 2012)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2018)
Thesis title: Evaluating the effects of air exposure on salmonids
Initial position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Trout Unlimited
Email: curtis.roth@tu.org
Zach Beard
Undergraduate education: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (B.S. Fisheries, 2014)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2016)
Thesis title: Survival, movement dynamics, distribution, adn habitat and species associations of juvenile Burbot in a tributary of the Kootenai River
Current position: Sport Fish Research Biologist, Arizona Game and Fish Department
Email: ZBeard@azgfd.gov
Phil Branigan
Undergraduate education: University of Wyoming (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, 2013)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2016)
Thesis title: Microhabitat use by native fishes in rehabilitated reaches of the Kootenai River, Idaho
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: phil.branigan@idfg.idaho.gov
Marika Dobos
Undergraduate education: Eastern Oregon University (B.S. Biology, 2007)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2015)
Thesis title: Movement, distribution, and resource use of westslope cutthroat trout in the South Fork Clearwater River basin
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: marika.dobos@idfg.idaho.gov
Elizabeth Ng
Undergraduate education: Pomona College (B.A. Biology, 2010)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2015)
Thesis title: Population dynamics and trophic ecology of nonnative lake trout in Priest Lake, Idaho
Current position: Ph.D. student, University of Washington
Email: elng@uw.edu
Zach Klein
Undergraduate education: Eckerd College (B.S. Biology, 2008)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2015)
Thesis title: Population ecology and the suppression of burbot in the Green River, Wyoming
Current position: Assistant Professor, New Mexico State University
Email: zklein@nmsu.edu
Carson Watkins
Undergraduate education: University of Wyoming (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management, 2011)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2014)
Thesis title: Fish assemblage and population responses to habitat restoration of side channels in the Kootenai River
Current position: Regional Fisheries Manager, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: carson.watkins@idfg.idaho.gov
John Walrath
Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, 2010)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2013)
Thesis title: Population dynamics and trophic ecology of northern pike and smallmouth bass in Coeur d'Alene Lake: implications for the conservation of westslope cutthroat trout
Current position: Regional Fisheries Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Email: john.walrath@wyo.gov
Christopher Smith
Undergraduate education: Iowa State University (B.S. Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2011)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2013)
Thesis title: Assessment of sampling techniques and fish assemblage structure in large western river systems
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Email: Christopher.D.Smith@state.mn.us
Steven Whitlock
Undergraduate education: Northland College (B.S. Biology, 2010)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2013)
Thesis title: Kokanee spawning ecology and recruitment response to water level management in Lake Pend Oreille
Current position: Ph.D. student, Oregon State University
Email: Steven.Whitlock@oregonstate.edu
Josh McCormick
Undergraduate education: The Pennsylvania State University (B.S. Wildlife and Fisheries Science, 2003)
Graduate education: University of Idaho (M.S. Fishery Sciences, 2012)
Thesis title: Assessment of angler survey methods for managing Idaho's anadromous fisheries: angler survey design and the role of social desirability bias
Current position: Fisheries Biometrician, Idaho Department of Fish and Game
Email: josh.mccormick@idfg.idaho.gov
Jesse Fischer
Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, 2004)
Graduate education: Kansas State University (M.S. Biology, 2007); Iowa State University (Ph.D. Fisheries Biology, 2012
Dissertation title: Benchmarks of biological integrity for lake restoration success: fish assemblage composition and population dynamics in Iowa lakes and impoundments
Current position: Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey
Email: jessefischer@gmail.com
Tim Parks
Undergraduate education: University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (B.S. Fisheries and Water Resources, 2008)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2012)
Thesis title: Fish species of greatest conservation need in Iowa's nonwadeable rivers: Distribution, relative abundance, and influences from potential movement barriers
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Email: Timothy.Parks@wisconsin.gov
Bryan Bakevich
Undergraduate education: University of Montana (B.S. Wildlife Biology-Aquatic option, 2009)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2012)
Thesis title: Occurrence and abundance of Topeka shiners and phenology of fish assemblages in off-channel habitats of streams in central Iowa
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish
Email: Bryan.Bakevich@state.nm.us
Maria Dzul
Undergraduate education: University of Michigan (B.S. Biology, 2007)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Wildlife Biology, 2012)
Thesis title: Population ecology and monitoring of the endangered Devils Hole pupfish
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey-Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center
Email: mdzul@usgs.gov
Tony Sindt
Undergraduate education: Minnesota State University-Mankato (B.S. Ecology 2008)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2011)
Thesis title: Iowa stream fish species of greatest conservation need: using Iowa GAP products to refine prioritization and guide assessment
Current position: Fisheries Research Biologist, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Email: Anthony.Sindt@state.mn.us
Travis Neebling
Undergraduate education: Northland College (B.S. Natural Resources - Wildlife and Fish Ecology, dual-major Biology 2006)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2009)
Thesis title: Fish assemblages in Iowa's non-wadeable rivers: relationships with habitat and sampling methods
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, Wyoming Game and Fish Department
Email: Travis.Neebling@wyo.gov
Jeff Koch
Undergraduate education: University of Nebraska (B.S. Fisheries and Wildlife, 2003)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2008)
Thesis title: Effects of commercial harvest on shovelnose sturgeon populations in the upper Mississippi River
Current position: Fisheries Research Supervisor, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
Email: jeff.koch@ks.gov
Zac Jackson
Undergraduate education: North Dakota State University (B.S. Natural Resources Management, B.S. Zoology, 2003)
Graduate education: Iowa State University (M.S. Fisheries Biology, 2007)
Thesis title: Assessment of the interrelationships between fish population dynamics and limnological characteristics of Iowa lakes
Current position: Fisheries Biologist, US Fish and Wildlife Service
Email: Zachary_Jackson@fws.gov